Expect showers for the east coast of the North Island today with cold south to southwesterly winds. Drier for the upper North Island but expect the odd shower north of Auckland this morning then mid afternoon isolated heavy showers with a chance of hail / thunder possible for Waikato, western Bay Of Plenty and western Auckland. Expect showers Taranaki southwards in the west, clearing in the evening.

Any early showers clear Otago then mainly dry. Showers about Canterbury and Marlborough ease then clearing this afternoon, a chance one or two may linger till evening. Dry for the rest of the South Island.

Dry for the South Island on Saturday, a few showers about Fiordland however. The North Island is largely dry also however Hawkes Bay has clearing morning showers, showers clear Gisborne by evening.

For rainfall accumulation maps for 1, 2 and 3 days out please visit our new maps page: https://www.weatherwatch.co.nz/maps-radars/rain/accumulative-rainfall

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz